Handgun licensing can make a difference

Faiths United To Prevent Gun Violence, a national coalition of over 40 Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu national denominations and organizations strongly supports Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposal to require handgun purchasers to obtain a license from the state police in order to purchase a handgun.

States that have these provisions have lower gun death rates because handgun licensing deters people with no criminal records from purchasing guns for people who should not have them. The faith community of Maryland, including the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council, also strongly supports this life-saving proposal.

Together we will make sure Governor O'Malley's proposal becomes law.

Vincent DeMarco, Baltimore

The writer is national coordinator of Faiths United To Prevent Gun Violence.